Pique, n.
Etymology: [F., fr. piquer. See Pike.]
1. A feeling of hurt, vexation, or resentment, awakened by a social slight or injury; irritation of the feelings, as through wounded pride; stinging vexation. Men take up piques and displeasures. Dr. H. More. Wars had arisen . . . upon a personal pique. De Quincey.
2. Keenly felt desire; a longing. Though it have the pique, and long, 'Tis still for something in the wrong. Hudibras.
3. (Card Playing)
In piquet, the right of the elder hand to count thirty in hand, or to play before the adversary counts one.
1 more senses
Syn. -- Displeasure; irritation; grudge; spite. Pique, Spite, Grudge. Pique denotes a quick and often transient sense of resentment for some supposed neglect or injury, but it is not marked by malevolence. Spite is a stronger term, denoting settled ill will or malice, with a desire to injure, as the result of extreme irritation. Grudge goes still further, denoting cherished and secret enmity, with an unforgiving spirit. A pique is usually of recent date; a grudge is that which has long subsisted; spite implies a disposition to cross or vex others.
4 other Webster entries under this spelling
Piqué, n.
A cotton fabric, figured in the loom, -- used as a dress goods for women and children, and for vestings, etc.
Pique, n. (Zoöl.)
The jigger. See Jigger.
Pique, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Piqued; p. pr. & vb. n. Piquing.]
1. To wound the pride of; to sting; to nettle; to irritate; to fret; to offend; to excite to anger. Pique her, and soothe in turn. Byron.
2. To excite to action by causing resentment or jealousy; to stimulate; to prick; as, to pique ambition, or curiosity. Prior.
3. To pride or value; -- used reflexively. Men . . . pique themselves upon their skill. Locke.
Syn. -- To offend; displease; irritate; provoke; fret; nettle; sting; goad; stimulate.
Pique, v. i.
To cause annoyance or irritation. "Every piques." Tatler.
Shades of meaning
Pique, from the French, signifies primarily a prick or a sting, as of a nettle; the word denotes a sudden feeling of mingled pain and anger, but slight and usually transient, arising from some neglect or offense, real or imaginary. Umbrage is a deeper and more persistent displeasure at being overshadowed (L. umbra, a shadow) or subjected to any treatment that one deems unworthy of him. It may be said, as a general statement, that pique arises from wounded vanity or sensitiveness, umbrage from wounded pride or sometimes from suspicion. Resentment rests on more solid grounds, and is deep and persistent. Compare anger.